UK Government plans council to define anti-Muslim hate

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Britain’s Labour administration is moving forward with plans to establish an “Islamophobia council,” sparking concerns about potential restrictions on free speech and religious criticism.

The initiative, led by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner through the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, aims to create a 16-member advisory body tasked with developing an official definition of Islamophobia.

Former Conservative Attorney General Dominic Grieve, who previously led the Citizens’ UK Commission on Islam and was expelled from the Conservative Party in 2019, is being considered to chair the council. Grieve, known for his anti-Brexit stance and left-leaning positions within the Conservative Party, played a role in the 2018 All-Party Parliamentary Group report on British Muslims.

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The Labour Party has already embraced the APPG’s definition of Islamophobia, which characterizes it as “rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” Critics argue this definition could effectively create unofficial blasphemy laws by restricting criticism of Islamic practices and history.

The report lists several examples of what it considers “classic Islamophobia,” including “Muhammed being a paedophile, claims of Muslims spreading Islam by the sword or subjugating minority groups under their rule.”

The Free Speech Union has expressed serious concerns about the implications of formalizing such a definition, suggesting it could lead to increased criminalization of speech. The organization warned that individuals might face accusations of Islamophobia merely for questioning Islamic practices.

“Once adopted as official guidance for public bodies, individuals could face accusations of Islamophobia simply for criticising aspects of Islam or Islamic practices,” the FSU wrote on X.

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Robert Jenrick, Conservative shadow justice secretary, criticized the proposal, stating: “The Government should drop its plans for such a deeply flawed definition of Islamophobia. Of course we should tackle anti-Muslim hate wherever it occurs, but this definition is a Trojan horse for a blasphemy law protecting Islam.”

Reform UK’s Nigel Farage suggests the initiative is politically motivated, aimed at strengthening Labour’s traditionally strong Muslim voter base. This comes as the party faces increasing challenges from independent candidates, particularly following the October 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel.

Recent elections have demonstrated this growing pressure, with Labour losing five seats to independents, including one to former leader Jeremy Corbyn, who campaigned on a pro-Gaza platform. Prominent Labour figures faced tight races, with Health Secretary Wes Streeting winning by just over 500 votes against independent candidate Leanne Mohamad, and MP Jess Phillips narrowly retaining her seat against a pro-Gaza challenger.